CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs recalled former LSU infielder Mike Fontenot Monday from Triple-A Iowa of the Pacific Coast League to replace Todd Walker on the roster. Fontenot hit .308 with a solo homer in his first four games with Iowa.
Walker, a former LSU all-American, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a moderate to severe MCL sprain of the left knee.
Fontenot, the 2000 SEC Freshman of the Year, was acquired by the Cubs along with infielder Jerry Hairston and minor league pitcher David Crouthers in the Feb. 2 trade which sent outfielder Sammy Sosa to Baltimore. Fontenot was a first-round draft choice of the Orioles in 2001.
Fontenot becomes the 48th former LSU player to reach the major leagues and the 34th former Tiger to appear on an MLB roster since 1985. The Slidell, La., native played second base for LSU’s 2000 NCAA championship team, batting .353 with 17 homers and 64 RBI. He earned 2001 first-team all-SEC recognition, batting .339 with 14 homers and 50 RBI.
Walker sustained the injury when Milwaukee’s Carlos Lee slid into him at second base in the 11th inning of the Cubs’ 6-5 win on Sunday. Jose Macias replaced Walker.
“I don’t think it was intentional,” said Walker, who was replaced by Jose Macias after the play. “Carlos Lee is a friend of mine, but he did come in awfully high on the knee. The picture I saw on the website looks like some kind of tae-kwon do move he was putting on me.”
Cubs trainer Mark O’Neill indicated that while no timetable has been set for Walker’s return, four to six weeks is a possibility.
“Obviously you can’t say you’re happy about any injury like this,” O’Neill said. “The good news is there isn’t a tear in any of the ligaments and the meniscus was OK as well.”
Walker was one of Chicago’s hottest hitters, batting .381 with two doubles and three RBI in his first six games.